Going out to eat with the kids can be a major drag on the wallet. So we made some calls to a long list of Roanoke Valley restaurants (including the familiar chains) to find out if any offered kids  deals, above and beyond a traditional kids menu or free drink or ice cream. Some eateries offer kids-eat-free nights while others serve up half-off specials or free desserts. Keep in mind that these deals are for dine-in only, and we did not include fast-food options.




FRIDAY

IHOP
3926 Franklin
Road, Roanoke, 776-7775,
www.ihop.com
Every Friday and night at IHOP's Franklin Road location only, kids 12 and under eat free off the kids  menu with the purchase of an adult meal (two kids per paying adult). IHOP offers crayons, coloring pads and — of course — chocolate milk.


SATURDAY

Famous Anthony's
All locations (visit Web site for contact information), www.famousanthonys.com
On Saturdays from 3 p.m. to close, kids eat free (from the kids menu) with the purchase of an adult meal. Famous A's offers crayons and coloring sheets to keep kids busy.

IHOP
3926 Franklin Road, Roanoke, 776-7775, www.ihop.com
Every Saturday night at IHOP's Franklin Road location only, kids 12 and under eat free off the kids  menu with the purchase of an adult meal (two kids per paying adult). IHOP offers crayons, coloring pads and — of course — chocolate milk.


SUNDAY

Ragazzi's
3843 Electric Road, Roanoke, 989-9022, www.ragazzisroanoke.com
Kids 10 and under eat free from the kids  menu on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree. Ragazzi's has crayons on hand, in addition to chocolate milk.

TGI Friday's
4869 Valley View Blvd. (Valley View Mall), 362-1475, www.fridays.com
Kids eat free from the kids  menu all day on Sundays with the purchase of an adult entree. Coloring books available, as well as  chocolate milk.



MONDAY

Peppers
219 Apperson Drive, Salem, 387-2555
Every Monday, kids eat free from the children's menu. Also, the buffet (featuring pizza, pasta, salad and dessert) is free for ages 8 and younger every day Peppers is open (Monday through Saturday).

Buffalo Wild Wings
4802 Valley View Blvd. (Valley View Mall) and 4335 Starkey Road (Tanglewood), www.buffalowildwings.com
Both locations offer free kids  meals on Monday nights from 4 to 9 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree. BWW has crayons on hand for fidgety kids, but no chocolate milk here.

Famous Anthony's
All locations (visit Web site for contact information), www.famousanthonys.com
On Mondays from 3 p.m. to close, kids eat free (from the kids menu) with the purchase of an adult meal. Famous A's offers crayons and coloring sheets to keep kids busy.

Golden Moon Restaurant
2626 Broadway Ave., Roanoke, 904-5376
This new eatery next to Heavenly Ham in Roanoke offers free meals from the children's menu to kids 10 and under all day on Mondays. Not only that, but big kids who are students get a 15 percent discount by showing their college ID anytime Monday through Thursday.

TUESDAY

Denny's
All locations (visit Web site for contact information), www.dennys.com
Denny's serves up free meals from the kids  menu every Tuesday from 4 to 10 p.m. Limited to two kids  meals per one paying adult. Denny's has coloring sheets and crayons on hand, and definitely chocolate milk.

Henry's Memphis BBQ
Roanoke (904-2727) and Salem (444-0551) locations, www.henrysmemphisbbq.com
Every Tuesday, kids 10 and under eat free (off the kids  menu) from 4 p.m. to close. Limited to one kids  meal per one paying adult. Henry's doesn't have any crayons or coloring sheets, but they do offer reduced-fat milk.

Macado's
All locations (120 Church Ave., 4237 Electric Road, 211 East Main St. in Salem), www.macados.net
Two kids eat free (per paying adult) on Tuesday nights from 4 to 9 p.m. A minimum purchase is required. Ziggy the Clown stops by the Grand Pavilion location on Electric Road every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.


CHEAP!

Jimmy V's Restaurant
3404 Brandon Ave., Roanoke, 345-7311
All day on Sundays, every item on the kids' menu is just $2.95. Crayons? Check. Chocolate milk? Certainly.

Cheeburger Cheeburger
4234 Electric Road, Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke, 769-0099, cheeburger.coma>
Cheeburger Cheeburger hosts Family Fun Night on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Your kids can get a free face painting or other form of entertainment  and a free sundae with purchase of a meal.

CiCi's Pizza
2037 Colonial Ave. at Towers Shopping Center and 1413 Towne Square Blvd., www.cicispizza.com
Kids eat cheap every day at CiCi's. Pizza is $2.99 for kids ages 4 to 10 and free for children 3 and under. An added benefit? CiCi's offers; arcade-style games.

Famous Anthony's
All locations (visit Web site for contact information), www.famousanthonys.com
Famous A's offers all-you-can-eat spaghetti for kids 12 and under for $4.29 from 5 p.m. to close on Wednesdays and Sundays. Famous Anthony's offers crayons and coloring sheets to keep kids busy.

Mac and Bob's
316  E. Main St., Salem, 389-5999, www.macandbobs.com
Kids  meals (10 and under) are half off all day on Sundays  with the purchase of an adult entree. Mac and Bob's gives children crayons and stickers  and free ice cream  with every purchase.

Did we miss a restaurant that offers free or discount meals for children? Please let us know! We may run another list in future issues. E-mail stephanie.ogilvie@roanoke.com or call 981-3352.